The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-10-19
Mr.. Cleveland's Speeches.

The singular charge made by the New
York Sun that President Cleveland is pla-
giarZing his speeches from the American
Cyclopedia has inspired many good and
funny things in the newspapers. The Presi-
dents speeches at various points on his
journey have been mostly commonplace.
The Chicago Tribune perpetrates the fol-
lowing:
The President "Dan, what's the next
town."
Dan: "Skedunk."
The President (wearily) "What are the
facts connected with the early settlement Of
the place, etc?''
Dan Consulting letters, gazetteers and
cycopedias) Settled in 1857 by colony
from New Jersey. Name Skedunk means
the breaking up of a hard winter First
president of the town board was the Hon.
down the wooden mill and two livery sta
bles. Principal industry, the making of
hy-nets. Population, 2,760."
The President (standing on rear platform
of a car few minutes later " am re-
joiced, Mr. Mayor and fellow-citizens of this
thriving young metropolis, to have an OPP
portunity of meeting you and expressing
the admiration | have long felt for the city
of Skedunk. If my memory serves me
rightly, this beautiful spot was first settled
in 1857 by company of far-seeing men
from the eastern portion of our great repub-
W
the poetcal name of Skedunk, which means
early spring, was bestowed on this live and
thrifty village, which even then gave promise
of glorious future. l am no stranger to the
fame of the Hon. Tellus Y. Knott, one of
your most distinguished early citizens, and
shall never forget how the great heart of
the country throbbed in sympathy with
you when, in 1861, a considerable portion of
your fair young city was destroyed by fire.
But time fails me to speak of your bright
prospects for the future, of the useful indus
try-the manufacture of y-nets-which has
done so much to bring the population Of
Skedunk up to nearly 5000. Wild cheer
ing. Move on, fellow citizens, in the path
of honor, usefulness and prosperity; stand
up in the majesty of your manhood, uphold
the institutions of your country, and the
name of Skedunk will be glorious through
all future ages. Fellow citizens, | bid you
most kindly farewell" Train moves off,
amid the most frantic cheers of the entire
population.
The following is from the Sun.
gentleman of very large rotundity,
Whose mind and body both seemed overwrought
Whose visage indicated great profundity-
At least Of fat though not perhaps, Of thought
Was seated in the mansion presidential
All in cosy and secluded nook,
And with his secretary confidential
Was porting DER the pages of a book
Upon this gentleman of vast obesity
There rested then the very sad necessity
OF talking much and wisely saying naught.
Cold facts he needed-few men could be needier,,
For which he seemed to know Just where to look ;
He delved within the trusty cyclopedia
And muttered as he scanned that useful book
Not Pennsylvania; that is where the scrapplei is;
Nor yet Ohio Forakers abode.
An, here IL is! I'll tackle Indianapolis
And you the other places on the road.
When have got the figures and geography,
The names, statistics industries and such,
Well trust them all to Benedcts Typography
And folks will wonder how know much"
As through the West this dgnitary wandered on,
And held his glorious and triumphant way,
The gentle river of his speech meandered on,
Until it struck the rocks, to his dismay
He saw his auditors, with merry scornfulness,
Hold weighty books, which they looking
through,
And then he said with most exceeding mournfuness,
"Why they have got the cyclopedia, too"